# Heritage Units vs Smart Device Controller

The clearest difference is rating: Heritage Units at 4.1 against Smart Device Controller's 3.3. Heritage Units also leads on review sentiment (58% vs 27%) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 months). Smart Device Controller's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Heritage Units sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per year. Smart Device Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

Heritage Units holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Heritage Units has 253 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Heritage Units's written reviews are positive against 27% of Smart Device Controller's.

Heritage Units ships an update every 10 days, Smart Device Controller every 3 months. Both last shipped on September 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Heritage Units | Smart Device Controller |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.1 (253 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heritage-units/id1117504088/reviews)** | [3.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-device-controller/id1372692970/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **253** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | **58.1% of reviews** | 27.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 122 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **10.3** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Brian Minnich](https://appshunter.io/developer/1117504087) | [SEKISUI KINZOKU CO., LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1343709801) |

## What reviewers say

### Heritage Units

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heritage-units/id1117504088)

This app allows users to track and report special interest locomotives from major US railroads. View reported units on a map within a 200-mile radius and contribute new sightings directly from your device.

**Highlights:** Track heritage units, Report new locomotive locations, View locomotives on maps, Search within 200 miles, Support for major railroads

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ad Free | $0.99 | per year |
| Premium Membership | $5.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎯 Excellent tool for tracking heritage units and special locomotives
- 📍 Real-time location reporting from community users
- 👍 User-friendly interface and intuitive navigation
- 📸 Ability to upload photos of locomotives
- 🚀 Responsive developer support and regular updates

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezing
- 🔓 Persistent login/logout issues
- ⚠️ Confusing error messages without clear explanations
- 📵 Limited photo upload capacity for free users
- 🚫 Arbitrary account suspensions and bans

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when refreshing or loading reports
- Persistent 'You've reached your limit for spots' error that lasts weeks or months
- Login credentials rejected despite correct password/username
- Automatic logout after 1-2 months of inactivity
- Premium subscription purchases not recognized by app

**Requested features**

- Dark mode and light mode toggle
- Report timestamp visibility to distinguish old vs new reports
- Edit and delete buttons for submitted reports
- Increase daily/monthly report submission limits
- Ability to favorite or star specific locomotives


### Smart Device Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-device-controller/id1372692970)

Transform your smartphone into a wireless remote for model trains. It offers compatibility with Soundbox, allowing for operation or use as a wireless power pack without the Soundbox. Control your model train setups with ease.

**Highlights:** Wireless model train operation, Soundbox compatibility, Use as wireless power pack, Smartphone remote control

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Heritage Units free?

Heritage Units is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Smart Device Controller free?

Smart Device Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Heritage Units or Smart Device Controller?

Heritage Units is rated higher. Heritage Units averages 4.1 out of 5 from 253 ratings, while Smart Device Controller averages 3.3 from 6 ratings.

### Do Heritage Units or Smart Device Controller have ads?

Heritage Units shows ads; Smart Device Controller does not.

### Which is updated more often, Heritage Units or Smart Device Controller?

Heritage Units ships an update every 10 days, and Smart Device Controller every 3 months. Most recently, Heritage Units was updated on September 29, 2026 and Smart Device Controller on September 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*